PTSD: Understanding and Recovery


If you have trauma symptoms please read this book

“An interesting and informative read from both a doctor and a patient perspective. I wish it had been available ages ago”

Surgeon Commander Anthony Labert OBE MSC MS FRCS (GEN SURG) Royal Navy

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About this book


PTSD: Understanding and Recovery sets out to explain what those who have developed a problematic post traumatic stress response to events that they have encountered go through and why these particular symptoms and life-changing levels of distress occur. Most importantly, the second part of the book provides a framework for recovery; a series of exercises and activities to help traumatised people take back control of their minds and bodies and start along the road to recovery.

Prior to publication, the book had been circulating among veterans for some time; the charity PTSD Resolution decided to help it reach a wider audience, because of the underground reputation the book was acquiring.  One Gulf veteran says it is ‘invaluable for those seeking to help themselves or someone they care for’, and more directly an ex-RN, who had not had the best support from other quarters, suggested that ‘this book should be printed in hardback and used to hit certain people over the head with’.

Half of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of the book go directly back into funding specialist therapy for military veterans and their families through PTSD Resolution and their network of 200 therapists nationwide.




“The information in this book explains it all and gave me the tools to recover. It is a must read for anyone affected by PTSD.”

PB Paramedic, former sergeant Royal Marines, Special Forces Medic


About the author



Ros Townsend is a psychotherapist who has helped many hundreds of individuals move forward from periods of difficulty in their life. With extensive experience working with all forms of emotional distress, she specialises in working with trauma  (PTSD) and a large part of her practice is devoted to work with military veterans or members of the Blue Light emergency services who have undergone some of the worst experiences imaginable.



“Ros is a natural, she is highly effective in her therapy and highly effective in her writing. Practical, no jargon and easily understood explanations this book is informative, empowering and therapeutic for anyone interested in or affected by PTSD and should be on every counsellor’s reading list.”

Keith Guy, Company Director, The Red Poppy Company


Reviews from Amazon

“This book gives clear, easy to understand explanations about PTSD and what causes it. It also gives information on how to manage and treat the condition. It will be hugely helpful for sufferers and their families, also for anyone working to help people trying to cope with post trauma stress or PTSD. A lot of the information also applies to understanding, managing and treating other high stress conditions. As mentioned by another reviewer, the book explains that it is not necessary to go over and over the details of the trauma for the treatment to work. I wish this book had been around when first came up against PTSD as it would have helped me deal with the condition so much better. I have already passed on my (new!) copy to someone who needed it more than me so I will be ordering more as I like to dip into it.”

“This is a well written, clear and straightforward explanation of PTSD symptoms and effective therapy. It should be in every clinic and doctor’s surgery.”

“This book will be incredibly useful and helpful to Mental Health practitioners, GPs, medical students and, in fact anyone who works with ‘people’ in any walk of life. It provides the reader with clear and concise information without attempting to ‘blind with science’. It is very readable and does not patronise or present in a condescending manner and holds one’s interest due to it’s excellent design. It is a very useful tool in the path to the management of PTSD for both professionals and those affected by the condition.”

“I specifically bought this book to understand a loved one’s daily life. I had an awareness of PTSD but was ignorant to what it meant physiologically as well as emotionally. I feel better equipped to support my loved one now by understanding exactly what is happening to them. Highly recommend this book to people with PTSD as well as friends and family of someone with PTSD.”

“This is really helpful guide to PTSD for just about anyone. In the sleeve notes, the author declares that her regular work involves simplifying information that has become needlessly complex. With this handy guide, she has done a great job in explaining some complex issues easily but without losing essential information. You can dip into it at any point and the layout is easy to follow. This book is ideal for anyone searching for answers about a range of stress-related issues as well as trauma. It also offers hope to those who might feel that they do not want to ‘tell all’ to a therapist or counsellor in order to recover. Rosalind Townsend explains that there are effective methods of treatment where the client does not have to repeatedly talk through the traumatic event or discuss matters that they would rather keep private. It comes packed with endorsements from those who have benefited from these methods. Wherever you stand in relation to this condition, whatever model of therapy you are familiar with, whether you are a family member or friend of someone going through a difficult time or you are directly involved in treatment, this book contains help and provides hope.”




“Having witnessed the tragic effects PTSD can have on not only the sufferers but their families, I see this book as another important step in providing those in need with the tools to forge a lasting route to recovery.”

Alexander Blackman, former Royal Marines SNCO


Buy the paperback of PTSD:Understanding and Recovery from the Forces’ trauma charity PTSD Resolution


Get the Kindle version of PTSD: Understanding and Recovery from Amazon (If you want a paper copy please use the PTSD Resolution web shop)



“Squaddie humour and helpful tools that helped me to control my PTSD, what more could I ask for?”

Lunk Winsor, former Lance Corporal, 12 Squadron, 3 Medical Regiment